GC/MS Testing of Essential Oils

In an earlier blog post, way back in July, I posted a link to an article I wrote on Essential Oil Quality Testing.  Quality testing essential oils is important to know that you are getting the 'real deal'.  GC/MS stands for Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectometry and reputable essential oil suppliers will provide you with the copy of this report if you ask.  It will give you  information on what an essential oil is composed of, but remember each batch of essential oils is going to vary, depending on a number of factors, such as weather and growing conditions.  Reports will vary slightly.

For further information on GC/MS testing of esential oils, and an explanation of the process in greater detail, from someone in the essential oil industry, please refer to Andrea Butje at The Aromatic International Blog post - Essential Oil Industry Standards: Aromatics International Supports GC/MS Testing.

Quality Testing Essential Oils

Essential oils undergo a number of quality tests to test for their purity; as discussed in the previous blog post on essential oil suppliers, it difficult to know if an essential oil is pure. Many 'pure' essential oils are, in fact, 'fragrance oils'. However, quality testing essential oils with such tests as the GC-MS and GLC means that some 'pure' essential oils will not 'pass the test'. Some essential oil suppliers will provide you with the GC-MS test reports if you ask.

Quality testing essential oils is a scientific and complex process but I have tried to explain, in simple terms, the process of quality testing essential oils in my latest article Essential Oil Quality Testing...